Xiomara's Authentic Guacamole from Guatemala!
We were so blessed to have Xiomara show us/ teach us how to make her Authentic Guacamole at our "South of the Border Cultural Food Fair" last week. Xiomara and her husband, Benjamin, who are from Guatemala, came to the United States in the 1980's. She shared with us how to make her Chicken Enchiladas, Mexican Rice, and this Guacamole. All of the food she showed us how to make were delicious! I'm waiting for the other recipes to share with you soon:)
I chose to name both Xiomara's and Amalia's recipes as "Authentic" because their recipes are from their home countries as they prepare them there.
One of the things that both Xiomara and Amalia expressed to us was the difference between the foods … [Read more...]

Guacamole . . . a family favorite!
Guacamole, has been a favorite Mexican dish since I was a child, and nothing has changed! It is still a family favorite, at least with daughter's family. They like it so much, now their children, my grandchildren, are making it! Most people eat guacamole either as a dip or as a sort of salad with their Mexican food meal. My family eats it primarily as a dip.
I have never made Guacamole, so when Candace called me to help make dinner for her family after her surgery, I was delighted to watch Cameron and Benjamin, with a little help from mom, go to work making this. Guacamole . . . family style! It takes a family to make this dish! Just kidding, of course! If my grandsons, age 15 and 12 can make it, … [Read more...]

Maribeth Alexander,

I love to collect recipes, cook and entertain. I also love music! I have had a desire for some time to have a blog where I could bring my two passions--food and music--together. "Food and Forte" is the realization of that desire. Read More…

Favorite Desserts from Our Family

Favorite Desserts from Our Family includes is a 201 page collection of favorite cookies, pies and cakes from my mother (age 93) down to my youngest grandchildren. All recipes are “tried and true”, are still made and loved even today, and will surely please your loved ones as well.

Winter Wonderland of Sweets

O, the weather outside might be frightful, but inside your home, it can be delightful with these tasty wintery treats! What’s better than wrapping up in a nice warm blanket with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa, and sampling one or more of these yummy desserts? I think that is the perfect way to spend a winter afternoon when you don’t want to go out.

Thanksgiving Treasures

The Emergency Chef

This is a great resource to help you in preparing for emergencies by having your pantry stocked with usable foods, an alternate cooking station, and easy recipes to make to feed your family at any time, but especially in inconvenient times.

Christmas Treasures

Celebrate the Real Meaning of Christmas with Family Traditions, Recipes, Songs, Books, Movies, and Activities!

Frugal Feast: 31 Lower Cost and Healthier Chicken Entrees

The "Frugal Feasts: 31 Lower Cost and Healthier Chicken Entrees" cookbook contains recipes for chicken dishes that are less expensive to make and serve your family and friends. Plus, serving suggestions and tips on how to make the recipe healthier by substituting some of the ingredients.

Sweets for Sweetie

Valentine’s Day has long been a day for expressing love—love for one’s special someone. These expressions of love are often shown through greeting cards with messages of love, bouquets of flowers (especially red roses), and heart-shaped boxes of his or her favorite assorted chocolate candies. All of these say “I love you!” to the one who is the recipient of these gifts of the heart.

Love Themes

"Love Themes" is a collection of songs that portray ten emotions associated with love. Six songs are piano only, four are orchestrated. Some of the titles include: "Forgiveness", "Compassion", "Kiss", "Embrace", and more.